Lives cut short

Capt. Tandukara was a family man who believed in simplicity

(NIRJANA SHARMA)

KATHMANDU, Sept 29: While Tandukar family was yet to recover from the death of the head of the family, demise of 43-years-old Captain Pilot Bijay Tandukar in the air crash early Friday morning was the second shock to the old mother and family within a year.

Born in Mitra Park of Kathmandu, Tandukar was known as a calm person with an introvert personality. [break]Tandukar is survived by two children and wife.

Sagar Acharya, chief safety officer of the Sita airlines described him as a person with soft heart who was always ready to extend a helping hand to his colleagues. At the same time, Tandukar was considered the good flyer and cautious in his job.

“Captain was among the senior most pilot we have and was considered a fine flyer in the airlines,” said Acharya. He was also associated with Sita Air from the time of its establishment in 2003 after completing his studies in the US. He had been serving as captain for the last six year.

“He was never heard talking about big ambitions, but would often share his feeling about his old mother, wife and children,” Acharya said.

Acharya, who is among the Tandukar´s oldest colleagues in the airlines said, “Saving the nearest human settlement during the air crash on Friday shows his dedication to mankind.”

Becoming an air hostess was her childhood dream

MADHUSUDAN GURAGAIN

BANEPA: 26-year-old Ruja Shakya of Banepa was in cloud nine when she was appointed air hostess by Sita Airways 5 months ago. That was something she had fancied from her early childhood.

“Sir, my dream to become an air hostess has come true, I am so excited!” Shakya was so overwhelmed while she shared the news to Pukar Ranjit, principal of Siddhartha College where she was pursuing her BBS course. Ranjit told Republica that Shakya wanted to continue her studies while continuing with her job.

“She was so simple and sweet girl. She was ahead in extracurricular activities as well,” he said adding that Shakya had even bagged first runner up in Kavre beauty contest.

Shakya, the youngest daughter among 4 siblings was equally joyous when she had promised Pusparaj Koirala, manager of Kantipur finance that she would arrange him free mountain flight ticket as she would be given 6 such tickets every year. “Uncle, I promise to take you along with my parents,” Koirala quoted Shakya in faint voice.

According to Shakya´s maternal uncle Saman Jyoti Shakya, Ruja´s family wanted her to look after her father´s business instead.

“Because both her elder sisters are married and brother is not in the country, the family always insisted her to stay with the parents at home. Last time, just four days ago, she was on leave and at home and we all had told her to say goodbye to the job,” Saman Joyti said. Ruja´s father owned New Shakya Watch Shop in Banepa.

However, unknown what her passion had in store for her, Ruja came back to Kathmandu and on Friday she became one of the 19 people to burn to death in the plane crash.

Thapa enjoyed his profession

(ARJUN POUDEL)

KATHMANDU: Thakashi Thapa, co-pilot of Sita Air, who died in the plane crash Friday, was constantly asked by family members to switch his profession. They even sent him to Japan to begin a business or take up a new profession.

But as fate would have it, he returned home very soon and resumed work at Sita Air.Thapa, 25, of Tupche-2, Nuwakot enjoyed his profession and would ask his family members to think positively.

“He never listened to us,” said Raj Kumar Chaudhary, a close member of Thapa´s family, adding, “He used to say that flying airplanes was not as dangerous as people assumed it to be.”

After passing his SLC from LRI School, Kalanki, Thapa joined White House College. In 2007 he went to Philippines for pilot training. Once he completed his training, he returned to Nepal and joined Sita Air as a co-pilot. He had been working in the airlines for four years. Thapa fluently spoke English, Japanese and Nepali.

“He was a very good fellow and maintained friendly relation with his colleagues,” said Rajeshwari Shrestha, co-pilot of Sita Air, who had joined the airlines along with Thapa.

Mahesh Bhandari, neighbor and classmate of Thapa said that he was a brilliant student and loved to play football.

Chaudhary said Thapa was also in the plane which had met an accident in Lukla last year. He said that his father Lok Bahadur was planning to gift his son a car worth Rs 5 million. Relatives, friends and well-wishers had visited TU Teaching Hospital, where Thapa´s body was kept for post-mortem, Friday afternoon to express their condolence.